Europe, our neighbour across the water, is frequently cut off by storms in the Channel. Unwilling to allow our neighbours to suffer from this isolation, we helped them dig a tunnel, but I'm still not convinced it was a good idea.
I have arranged the countries in alphabetical order, with no implications of value or worth. Austria is a beautiful country where every prospect pleases, but with the usual caveat. Belgium is small, crowded and interesting in a tragic kind of way. Croatia may be little-known but it is rapidly and deservedly becoming a popular holiday destination. There is more to the Czech Republic than the capital city of Prague. Germany is - well, Germany, arguably the economic powerhouse for the rest of Europe, but crammed with history and fascination. Italy is heaven if you like pasta, hell if you don't.